Sako s20 bolt 308-243

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lukerobs

lukerobs

Well-Known Member
Hi guys after some info on bolts i currently own a sako s20 in 243 but have the opportunity to purchase the same s20 in 308 reason being i love the rifle so much, im just concerned would it be possible to mix up the bolts if i ever did accidentally mix them up would the 243 bolt work in 308 and 308 in 243 ….? If i go ahead and buy it il obviously mark one with some tape and store separately just they look exactly the same so worried il mix them up
 
.243 & .308 are the same case with different neck sizes (essentially) to carry different calibre bullets - most importantly they are the same head diameter which determines bolt-face dimensions
So, your .243 bolt, in theory, ought to work ok in your .308 and vice versa
This is what switch-barrel rifles like the various models of Blaser rely upon, same bolt is used for .243, 308, 270, 30-06 etc
They just require different magazines for differing cartridges - the S20 might too, but again, as the 243 & 308 are so similar in head diameter, case length, COAL I would imagine they utilise the same magazines too
BUT like you I'm guessing here
Check with Sako/Beretta/GMK/a good RFD first - if you can

I have an S20 and on mine the bolt, the action/receiver and barrel all carry the same number but with varying suffix & prefix to give them a unique identifier in keeping with new EU regs
Unless your .243 was one of the very first made I would think it's the same, again, well worth a check that shouldn't take too long AND more reliable than marking with tape, paint or marker pen
Match the numbers and you've put the correct bolt in the rifle

If you're still a bit worried, and/or can't get a definitive form the trade, storing them separately and carefully checking before use seems the best way to go right enough
 
It would work, but I wouldn't advise it.

People seem to forget that during the proof process go and no go gauges are used. There's every chance that there is a slight discrepancy in the thickness of the locking lugs/races that would allow a case shoulder not to be tight up against the front of the chamber causing a gap and a possible case explotion.

Or the opposite may happen and you'll get a very slight out of battary situation which could also do you a nasty.

As has been said - they'll be marked with matching numbers to the actions. If you can't be bothered to check every time, just use some different colour electrical tape for each bolt and corresponding action.
 
olliehopes said:
It would work, but I wouldn't advise it.

People seem to forget that during the proof process go and no go gauges are used. There's every chance that there is a slight discrepancy in the thickness of the locking lugs/races that would allow a case shoulder not to be tight up against the front of the chamber causing a gap and a possible case explotion.

Or the opposite may happen and you'll get a very slight out of battary situation which could also do you a nasty.

As has been said - they'll be marked with matching numbers to the actions. If you can't be bothered to check every time, just use some different colour electrical tape for each bolt and corresponding action.
Click to expand...
I store mine in different Napier bolt cases - they come in 3 colours (but one of my red ones came black edged so I have 4 distinct ones) so I know which one to grab as I store the bolts separately in a different safe to the rifle iaw Home Office recommendations. Not all do - I chose to for increased safety and security.

https://assets.publishing.service.g...f5358665f4b9/Firearms_guide_November_2022.pdf

IMG_0750.jpeg
 
olliehopes said:
Electrical tape is cheaper than a bolt case! 😉
Click to expand...
True, but that safe holds all of my bolts, magazines (2-3 per calibre), ammo wallets and Norma plastic "holders" so it's always a bit of a rifle in there and the cases protect and make it easy to grab the right one :)

.243 Green
.270 Grey
.308 Red (S20)
.308 Red/Black (Tikka T3X)

Simples............................ :cool:
 
I would never intentionally swap them
And i do also store them separately from the rifles was just worried incase one day in a rush (as we all rush) i picked up the wrong bolt and without realising put it into the wrong gun was hoping that it simply wouldnt fit but as it seems it will il have to mark them and store them seprate and just be extra careful as to what i pick up before leaving the house
 
wytonpjs said:
True, but that safe holds all of my bolts, magazines (2-3 per calibre), ammo wallets and Norma plastic "holders" so it's always a bit of a rifle in there and the cases protect and make it easy to grab the right one :)

.243 Green
.270 Grey
.308 Red (S20)
.308 Red/Black (Tikka T3X)

Simples............................ :cool:
Click to expand...
Electrical tape also comes in many different colours! 😂
 
Bolts are serial numbered

So you shouldn’t get it wrong

Or

Tape as others have suggested

Or use a chamber flag of one colour on one rofle and similar dab of enamel paint on the bolt handle /knob so there is memory jog before you insert the bolt to check you have the correct one


In an ideal world all Sako S20 bolts of .473” diameter case head should be the same dimensions,,, but I would suggest that there is some factory tolerance (and potentially some wear of the bolt lugs over time) so headspace may be an issue if you use the wrong bolt in the weapon
 
Why not have a different coloured kob?
Not a good idea to have different coloured holders.
In the lab you never label lids/caps only the bottle. Lids can get swapped as can your holders. Always ensure anything fails safe.
D
 
Cyres said:
Why not have a different coloured kob?
Not a good idea to have different coloured holders.
In the lab you never label lids/caps only the bottle. Lids can get swapped as can your holders. Always ensure anything fails safe.
D
Click to expand...
Different colour knob is a good shout il pit a ring of red tape on the hendle i think
 
on military rifles all key parts have serial numbers. Soldiers are taught to read the numbers and make sure they put the correct parts back together.

Sporting guns also have serial numbers on key parts, again for this very reason.

Personally I would not get a 308 alongside a 243. I would go for a longer cartridge such as the 30-06 or 270.

I don't about the S20, but earlier Sakos had short actions with short bolts for 243 / 308 and long actions with long bolts for 30-06 etc.

Technically a 243 has its shoulder a bit further forward so shouldn’t chamber in a 308, and a 308 won’t chamber in a 243.

But if you have both short action cartridges and you have left glasses downstairs its all too easy to mix cartridges.
 
Ronin said:
Bolts are serial numbered

So you shouldn’t get it wrong

Or

Tape as others have suggested

Or use a chamber flag of one colour on one rofle and similar dab of enamel paint on the bolt handle /knob so there is memory jog before you insert the bolt to check you have the correct one


In an ideal world all Sako S20 bolts of .473” diameter case head should be the same dimensions,,, but I would suggest that there is some factory tolerance (and potentially some wear of the bolt lugs over time) so headspace may be an issue if you use the wrong bolt in the weapon
Click to expand...
Yes but unfortunately when I had a Remington rebarrelled under guarantee (the original button rifled barrel and its first replacement had a bore looking like an armadillo - I suspected insufficient lubricant during the rifling process) - the replacement barrel and the bolt ended up with different numbers.
 
Heym SR20 said:
on military rifles all key parts have serial numbers. Soldiers are taught to read the numbers and make sure they put the correct parts back together.

Sporting guns also have serial numbers on key parts, again for this very reason.

Personally I would not get a 308 alongside a 243. I would go for a longer cartridge such as the 30-06 or 270.

I don't about the S20, but earlier Sakos had short actions with short bolts for 243 / 308 and long actions with long bolts for 30-06 etc.

Technically a 243 has its shoulder a bit further forward so shouldn’t chamber in a 308, and a 308 won’t chamber in a 243.

But if you have both short action cartridges and you have left glasses downstairs its all too easy to mix cartridges.
Click to expand...
S20 like the T3/T3X is one action length only.....
 
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